The Inquiry (THINQ) Curriculum - Semester 2

Module Description

This longitudinal module is designed to provide medical students with a deep dive into their selected areas of interest, which are meticulously categorized into four broad areas of concentration (AOCs). These AOCs include Scientific and Scholarly Discovery; Patient Centered Advocacy; Healthcare Delivery Science; and Leadership and Professional Identity Formation.

Within the framework of continuous improvement and lifelong learning, THINQ will also delve into the theoretical principles and practical application of evidence-based medicine and clinical research methodology.

The module emphasizes the importance of professionalism, patient-centered communication, and the basics of clinical reasoning, preparing students for their subsequent clinical rotations and fostering a lifelong commitment to excellence in medicine. 

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Module Goals

• To provide foundational knowledge in four key areas of curricular concentration: Scientific and scholarly discovery; Patient Centered Advocacy; Healthcare delivery science; and Leadership and professional identity formation.

• To engage in experiential learning that includes principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and scientific research methodology.

• To promote exposure to a diverse range of content relevant to the AOCs or one of its sub-domains.

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Module Learning Objectives

By the end of this module, students will:

Module Learning Objectives	Medical Education Program Objective
Demonstrate knowledge of basic principles of epidemiology and biostatistics	Knowledge for Practice 10. Apply principles of public and population health to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations. Practice-based Learning and Improvement 13. Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
Develop well-structured research questions using the PICO framework and explain fundamental concepts of internal and external validity, sampling, confounding, and bias	Practice-based Learning and Improvement 13. Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
Identify and utilize appropriate databases and resources for finding medical evidence and develop effective literature search strategies	Practice-based Learning and Improvement 13. Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
Practice the use of AI tools and applications for evidence-based clinical decisions	Knowledge for Practice 9. Apply established and emerging principles of clinical sciences to diagnostic and therapeutic decision-making, clinical problem-solving, and other aspects of evidence-based health care. Practice-based Learning and Improvement 13. Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
Critically appraise published research articles, evaluating study design, statistical analysis, strengths and weaknesses, and generalizability to specific populations and settings	Knowledge for Practice 10. Apply principles of public and population health to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations. Practice-based Learning and Improvement 13. Locate, appraise and assimilate evidence from scientific studies related to patients’ health problems
Describe foundational principles of health delivery science to analyze how health systems can be designed and improved to deliver safe, high-value, and equitable care for individuals and communities	Systems-Based Practice 22. Identify and participate in solutions to failures in high quality, equitable and optimal patient care. 23. Demonstrate approaches to addressing structural factors that may impact health care delivery and patient outcomes.
Evaluate how cultural, behavioral, social, environmental, and global structural factors shape health, health disparities, and access to care	Knowledge for Practice 10. Apply principles of public and population health to the identification of health problems, risk factors, treatment strategies, resources, and disease prevention/health promotion efforts for patients and populations. 11. Apply principles of social behavioral sciences to the delivery of health care Systems-Based Practice 23. Demonstrate approaches to addressing structural factors that may impact health care delivery and patient outcomes.
Describe basic principles of leadership, ethical practice, professional identity, communication, teamwork, and feedback in interactions with	Professionalism, Personal, and Professional Development 15. Demonstrate ethical principles in the care of patients. 16. Exhibit the behaviors of honesty, integrity, and respect in interactions with peers, staff, faculty, and patients. 17. Evaluate one’s personal, professional, and educational needs through reflection and utilize resources to meet those needs.